Japanese ghost ship sunk

A Japanese ghost ship's trek across the Pacific Ocean has come to an abrupt end after the US Coast Guard pummelled it with cannon fire to eliminate its potential danger to other vessels and the environment.

"The vessel has been sunk and is no longer a navigational hazard in the area," Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Kip Wadlow said.

Drifting aimlessly since last year's tsunami, the vessel was deemed a potential hazard to shipping and the coastline.

The cutter, Anacapa, fired its 25 millimeter cannons, ripping holes into the 164-foot (50-meter) long Ryou-Un Maru on Thursday in the Gulf of Alaska. The target quickly burst into flames and began to sink.

Four hours later, the ship vanished entirely into the water some 170 nautical miles southwest of the Alaskan town of Sitka.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency had determined that the safest procedure was to sink the stray ship. It was carrying up to 2,100 gallons (7,759 liters) of diesel fuel.

There was also a risk to other vessels as the ship had no lights and had wandered into the busy shipping lanes between North America and Asia.

Final journey

The Ryou-Un Maru's journey began off Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, where it had been destined for scrapping when the magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck last in March 2011. The resulting tsunami's waves dislodged the vessel and set it adrift, along with millions of tons of debris.

The boat did not have any cargo on board, a Coast Guard spokesman said.

Canadian officials became aware of the ship's presence last month, when it was spotted nearly 200 kilometres (124 miles) from Canada's west coast. On Sunday, it entered US waters.

Just before Thursday's operation, a Canadian fishing vessel claimed salvage rights over the ghost ship, as it was still in international waters. The US Coast Guard delayed its operation in response, but the would-be salvage ship was unable to tow the wayward vessel.

Heading for shore

The ship is just the most recent of Japanese debris to approach the North American coast after crossing the Pacific. Most of the debris is expected to hit the American coastlines in 2013 or even later.

Officials have said there is little need to be worried that the tsunami debris could be contaminated by radiation.

tm/pfd (AP, dpa, Reuters)